So we are going to have a fundraiser/celebration for DonationCoder.com in the month of March 2011. The last fundraiser was 2 years ago.

My question is, can we think of any special events or things we could do to make it funner for existing members, and for new visitors who haven't heard of us?

I know giveaways are always popular, but my preference would be things that reflect more the spirit of the site, and are more inviting of long-term participation by new people, etc. Yes we want donations during the fundraiser, but we'd also like to welcome our arms to new coders and new forum participants, etc.

Another unusual idea might be to make one blog post per day about another website that has been kind to DC (by writing a review of one of our programs, etc.), just a way of saying thank you to the great websites out there that help indie coders.

1. "Who gives a buck about DC?" whereby every member vows to donate at least $1, and earns a badge.

2. Sponsor a DC-er to do something crazy. Zany members offer to maybe get photographed dressed as Cody in the mall, or go to work in a silly hat or have a cody "tattoo" if a certain fundraiser target is met.

And one general suggestion:An ".... of the month" round-up. This can be purely subjective, but a small round-up of the forum's activity would interest me greatly. For example: "Topic of the Month" ~ "Rant of the Month" ~ "New Software Release of the Month" ~ etc.

My favourite: "Member of the Month" to celebtrate a DC-er who's been particularly helpful, or released something really good, or even ironically celebrate someone who just got on everybody's nerves...

1. "Who gives a buck about DC?" whereby every member vows to donate at least $1, and earns a badge

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I think your idea of encouraging everyone to donate (at least) 1 dollar could be the most important basic idea. As we've often discussed, the problem for sites like ours that depend on optional donations, is that people cannot get past that initial stage of resistance that prevents them from donating. I don't think the issue is the money -- i think it's the work involved, and the general unwillingness to perform a financial transaction unless they have to.

If we could just find a way to get people to take the leap of faith to make a donation, regardless of the amount, i think it would be so healthy for the site, but also bring many people in from the shadows who would enjoy being part of something and enjoy being one of the people that actively support the site.

Indian freelancers (non-credit card holders) are getting screwed by both paypal and government. This is the last month for me to buy,donate anything online using paypal stored money (unless i get credit card which is not possible because i'm doing freelancing). So instead of next month, i'll consider making donation this month. Keeping problems aside, is there anything i can do from graphics side ?

I mean designing stamps, envelopes, mug or ipad skin design for DC shop on cafepress or zazzle ? That is also one good way of raising funds. I don't see any zazzle store, mouser can you create one ? I'm sure existing cody logo and graphics can be used on some seasonal items for sale at zazzle.

The Zazzle store sounds like a good idea, especially with thier shipping times being 1/2 that of CafePress (Been waiting 2 week for my NANY Mug, which apprently shipped 15 days ago...)

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Also, how about creating a special user rank for people who donate certain amounts (Like atm we have "Supporting Member" and such) you could have something to show the level they have donated.

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I think the visual representation bar is a must...especially if you can link it so its totally live and we can see it going up every moment!

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Also...I think there should be something like "If We Raise $10000 During the fundraiser, Mouser will strip to his underwear and run through the streets screming 'I LOVE CODY, CODY IS THE BIRD GOD'" (This has to be recorded and uploaded to the website for all to see as proof!)

Also...I think there should be something like "If We Raise $10000 During the fundraiser, Mouser will strip to his underwear and run through the streets screming 'I LOVE CODY, CODY IS THE BIRD GOD'" (This has to be recorded and uploaded to the website for all to see as proof!)

Should probably limit that to something that would leave the man with at least a shred of dignity...

I think the visual representation bar is a must...especially if you can link it so its totally live and we can see it going up every moment!

We used the Cody Fever Donation Amount Thermometer which shows the progress towards our donation goal last year and it was a huge hit, and we will use it again.

As for the suggestions about dif badges or status based on donation amount, we have a longstanding policy not to do anything that favors or gives status based on the amount you donate. Everyone who donates is equally appreciated (some people have more money to spare than others).